Church in Thozin

 

I have so much fun with the people at church.  This morning we totally ran out of seats, so some of us ended up out in the yard.  The World Race’s worship team joined our team this morning for a bilingual song service.  It was a blast.

Little kids are so adorable in their Sunday best.  This little guy automatically has the same nick name as the country’s president Martelly: Tèt Kale, which means “shaven head” or “bald.”  When A. Jay saw him this morning, he called him Martelly.  The kids love this type of humor – they enjoy being referred to as the president, as well.

Mickelande

Mickelande goes to the MOHI School in Thozin.  Since her mother had another baby, we’ve noticed she doesn’t come to school regularly.  It’s not unusual in this country for young girls to help their mothers at home.  We encourage mothers to send all of their children to school, however.  Mickelande often carries five to six buckets of water each afternoon for the household.  At 40 pounds a bucket, they weigh almost as much as Mickelande.

When Pastor Lex ten years old when a mission opened up in his neighborhood.  His dad thought it best for him to stay home and help in the gardens, but his mother fought fiercely, and successfully, to get him into school.  Unfortunately, not all mothers have the same sense that his mom did.

 

It’s often heartbreaking to witness Mickelande’s lifestyle.  What seems inhumane to me, is not so unusual here.  And yet she seems like a happy little girl.  Mikerlande is not an orphan.  We cannot force her mother to send her to school, but we can all pray for them, as well as for the leadership at MOHI.  May God give us wisdom to know how to make a difference.

A MOHI friend in Nashua, NH, Bruno de Brito Soares, held a food drive at his college, on behalf of MOHI.  He shipped the food to us in Haiti and we are using it right now to be a blessing to others.  There are certain children, including Mickelande, that I know do not eat well at home.  Thanks to folks like Bruno, I can hand a little beef stew out my window to get some protein into those little frames.

 

Seasons

One thing I appreciate about New England is the distinctness of the seasons.  If you’re in one that you don’t care for, you know it won’t be long before the next season comes.  The seasons are a little less distinct here in Haiti, but they are still identifiable.

December and January are most peoples’ favorite time of year here, because it gets very cool overnight and can be almost comfortable during the day.  By the second week of February, we notice the overnights don’t cool down as much and day time can be VERY warm.

The Spring rains usually come in March, which is known as planting season.  We depend totally on rainfall to water our crops on the mountain, so when Lex took a crew up to plant watermelons, we were thrilled to see a good, soaking rain that night.  The melons are planted in an unplowed field, so the grass and weeds help keep the seeds in place during a downpour.

April and May are Summery and when June arrives, it’s almost unbearably hot.  This is the beginning of hurricane season.  Normally it only rains at night, unless there is a tropical wave or storm in the area.  The heat continues through July and begins to wane late in August.  The Autumn is still very warm, but much more bearable.  Planting season arrives again at the beginning of November and the ending of the hurricane season.  December is “Pwa Kongo” (pigeon pea) season.  These beans harvest once a year.  I don’t think I’ve ever met a Haitian who doesn’t like them.  They are an important part of the Christmas season and bring a sense of delight to the country.

 

The Hands and Feet Project

Many of you have played a very important role in the lives of the children now at the Hands and Feet Project.  I want to give you an update on a couple of them.  Wilson had large masses in his abdomen and it was looking like he had lymphoma, but another diagnosis has been given now.  We are so thrilled that it is not cancer.  The condition he has still needs to be monitored closely, but it is not life threatening.  The masses have also diminished greatly.  Praise God!

Sheevens, probably the most active of all the kids, a comedian and wonderful singer, had cataract surgery this past week.  He still has some scarring that will need to be followed up on, but he is now seeing through this eye and not experiencing any pain.

Most Sundays, after church, the kids from the Hands and Feet Project come down to the mission compound for a dip in the ocean.  It’s a special spot for them, because that’s where they lived when they first came to Grand-Goâve three years ago.

The World Race in Haiti

The World Race group will be leaving next Sunday, heading to Romania.  Wow!  That will be not only a culture shock, but a climate shock, as well.  We pray they will have a smooth transition and that Haiti will forever stay in their hearts.

This past week these folks helped out by organizing the new clinic and pharmacy room, back-filling the foundation areas of the school project, painting and visiting St. Etienne.  We also sent people up to Be Like Brit each day to help with pouring and watering concrete.  They should be finishing up their pours on Monday.  It sure is looking nice!

Gratitude

As we see the new school building starting to take shape, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. There are so many people who have put themselves into position to be a blessing to us, to the Mission, to the Haitian people and especially to the children who will benefit when the school is completed.  

Architects, home builders, electricians, electrical engineers, plumbers, civil engineers, commercial contractors, organizations, whole families and many individuals, both hardworking and brilliant thinkers, Americans, Haitians, Canadians, Germans, from home and here in Haiti – all have come to do their part.  Thank you!!!!  I encourage those of you who are feeling stirred to help, please do so.  Not one of us has the ability to complete this project, but working together it will be done!